Maria Zakharova said such a move would incite a reaction from Moscow which could bring “dangerous and destabilizing consequences” for the Mediterranean island between Greece and Turkey.

Zakharova said the Kremlin was aware of "anti-Russian plans" involving the U.S. military and Cyprus.

“We’re getting information from various sources that the United States is actively studying options to build up its military presence on Cyprus,” Zakharova said during a news briefing in Moscow. “The aim is not being hidden - to counter growing Russian influence in the region in the light of the successful operation by the Russian military in Syria.”

Zakharova said a delegation from Washington inspected potential sites for bases and officials from the Trump administration were participating in talks with Nicosia about expanding military cooperation between the two countries.

“It being drawn into U.S. and NATO plans in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East will inevitably lead to dangerous and destabilizing consequences for Cyprus itself,” she said. “In Moscow we can’t ignore the anti-Russian element in these (U.S.) plans and in the event that they are implemented we will be forced to take counter measures.”

Prodromos Prodromou, a spokesman for the Cypriot government, said the island had no further plans to militarize.

“We want to clarify that it has never been our aim, nor do we seek the militarization of Cyprus,” he said in response to the Russian comments.

“The Republic of Cyprus, because of its advantageous geographical position, offers facilities for missions of a humanitarian nature, and then only in cases where countries make a request or have a relevant MOU (memorandum of understanding) with the Republic.”

Cyprus is a popular destination for Russian and Eastern European tourists in the Mediterranean, with a number of wealthy Russians owning property or banking on the former British colony, which is currently home to two British military bases already.

Cypriot media said the island recently appointed a military attache to Washington.

Cyprus was split in 1974 by a Turkish invasion which followed a coup inspired by Greece.

Northern Cyprus remains a Turkish Cypriot state with 300,000 people which is only recognized by Turkey, while Greek Cypriots run the internationally recognized government of the island.

(8 May 2018) STORY
Russia\'s foreign minister on April 13th asserted that a suspected chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma the previous week was fabricated with the help of an unspecified foreign intelligence agency.
Sergey Lavrov said Russian experts had inspected the site of the alleged attack in Douma, just east of Damascus, and found no trace of chemical weapons. He says Moscow has \"irrefutable information that it was another fabrication\".
Lavrov spoke to reporters in Moscow on April 13th.
He said that \"intelligence agencies of a state that is now striving to spearhead a Russo-phobic campaign were involved in that fabrication\". He didn\'t elaborate or name the state.
The attack has drawn international outrage and prompted the United States and its allies to consider a military strike on Syria, something Moscow has strongly warned against.
***
Fighter jets were seen taking off from a British Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Cyprus early on April 14th.
Their destination was not revealed.
The jets took off from Akrotiri Military Base, Cyprus, ahead of US President Donald Trump\'s announcement that the US, France and Britain together launched military strikes in Syria to punish President Bashar Assad for his alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians and to deter him from doing it again.
***
US Defense Secretary James Mattis says the U.S. and its allies have taken \"decisive action\" against Syrian chemical weapons infrastructure.
Mattis briefed reporters at the Pentagon April 13th an hour after President Donald Trump announced the strikes.
Mattis say...

(8 May 2018) STORY
Russia\'s foreign minister on April 13th asserted that a suspected chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma the previous week was fabricated with the help of an unspecified foreign intelligence agency.
Sergey Lavrov said Russian experts had inspected the site of the alleged attack in Douma, just east of Damascus, and found no trace of chemical weapons. He says Moscow has \"irrefutable information that it was another fabrication\".
Lavrov spoke to reporters in Moscow on April 13th.
He said that \"intelligence agencies of a state that is now striving to spearhead a Russo-phobic campaign were involved in that fabrication\". He didn\'t elaborate or name the state.
The attack has drawn international outrage and prompted the United States and its allies to consider a military strike on Syria, something Moscow has strongly warned against.
***
Fighter jets were seen taking off from a British Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Cyprus early on April 14th.
Their destination was not revealed.
The jets took off from Akrotiri Military Base, Cyprus, ahead of US President Donald Trump\'s announcement that the US, France and Britain together launched military strikes in Syria to punish President Bashar Assad for his alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians and to deter him from doing it again.
***
US Defense Secretary James Mattis says the U.S. and its allies have taken \"decisive action\" against Syrian chemical weapons infrastructure.
Mattis briefed reporters at the Pentagon April 13th an hour after President Donald Trump announced the strikes.
Mattis say...

Cyprus-Russian Festival 2018. Food court

(8 May 2018) STORY
Russia\'s foreign minister on April 13th asserted that a suspected chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma the previous week was fabricated with the help of an unspecified foreign intelligence agency.
Sergey Lavrov said Russian experts had inspected the site of the alleged at

Today News - Russian government voices veiled threat against Cyprus
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow “will have to take response measures in case of a military build-up by the US in Cyprus.’’ Zakharova said that “the infor